International Recipes

French Macarons with Bittersweet Chocolate Ganache

Looking for a delicious dessert? Then check out these tasty macaroons with chocolate ganache sandwiched between two cookies. In France, these popular cookies are sold in patisseries in a wide variety of colors and flavors.

French Macaroons

Yield: 20 macarons

Ingredients

Macaroons

  • 3 egg whites
  • 1 1/4 cups blanched whole almonds (about 7 ounces)
  • 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon red paste or gel food color
  • 3 tablespoons granulated sugar

Ganache

  • 1/4 cup whipping cream
  • 1 teaspoon light corn syrup
  • 2 ounces bittersweet or semisweet baking chocolate, finely chopped
  • 1 tablespoon butter, softened

Instructions

  1. Fill a small bowl half full with hot water. Place egg whites in custard cup or another small bowl; place in bowl of water, making sure water doesn’t get into the egg whites. Let stand about 3 minutes or until egg whites reach 75 degrees F. Line 2 cookie sheets with cooking parchment paper or silicone baking mats.
  2. In a blender, place almonds and 1/4 cup of the powdered sugar. Cover; blend on high speed 1 to 2 minutes, scraping sides occasionally, or until almonds are very finely ground. Place strainer over medium bowl. Using rubber spatula, press almond mixture through strainer into bowl. Return any almonds left in strainer to blender; add 1/4 cup of the remaining powdered sugar. Cover; blend on high speed 1 to 2 minutes, scraping sides occasionally, or until almonds are very finely ground. Press almond mixture and remaining 1 cup powdered sugar through strainer into bowl; set aside. Discard any remaining large almond pieces.
  3. In another bowl, beat egg whites, salt and food color with electric mixer on high speed just until foamy. Gradually add granulated sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time, beating on high speed 1 to 2 minutes or until soft peaks form. Using rubber spatula, fold about half of the almond mixture into egg white mixture until completely incorporated. Fold in remaining almond mixture.
  4. Spoon batter into a decorating bag fitted with 1/2 inch plain tip. Pipe batter in 20 (1 1/2 inch) circles onto each cookie sheet about 1 1/2 inches apart. If tops have a peak, wet fingertips lightly on damp paper towel and press down to flatten. Tap bottom of cookie sheet on counter a few times to flatten cookies. Let stand uncovered at room temperature 30 minutes to allow a light crust to form on tops.
  5. Heat oven to 300 degrees F. Bake one pan at a time for 17 to 18 minutes or until tops look set. Cool on pan on cooling rack for at least 10 minutes. With a metal pancake turner, remove cookies to cooling rack.
  6. In a 2 cup glass measuring cup, microwave cream and corn syrup uncovered on HIGH for 1 minute. Stir in chocolate and butter until chocolate is melted. Let stand for about 30 minutes. Cover; refrigerate for about 30 minutes or until spreading consistency.
  7. For each sandwich cookie, spread about 1 teaspoon ganache on bottom edge of 1 cookie. Top with a second cookie.
  8. Store tightly covered.

Notes

Mint Macarons: Tint the cookie dough with green food color. In step 6, add 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh mint leaves to heated cream mixture; let stand for 30 minutes. Place fine strainer over medium bowl. Using back of wooden spoon, press mint mixture through strainer into bowl; discard mint. Return cream mixture to measuring cup. Microwave on HIGH for 1 minute. Continue with ganache as directed.

Do not attempt to make these on a rainy or humid day.

Nutrition

Per 1 sandwich cookie: Calories 140 (Calories from Fat 70), Total Fat 7g (Saturated Fat 2g, Trans Fat 0g), Cholesterol 0mg; Sodium 45mg; Total Carbohydrate 15g (Dietary Fiber 1g, Sugars 13g), Protein 3g

Percent Daily Value*: Vitamin A 0.00%; Vitamin C 0.00%; Calcium 2.00%; Iron 2.00%

Exchanges: 1 Other Carbohydrate; 1/2 High-Fat Meat; 1/2 Fat

Carbohydrate Choices: 1

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.

Attribution

Recipe and photo used with permission from: Betty Crocker Kitchens



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